Sneak Peek: Americana Amore

Amy and Ben are an incredible couple; kind and giving in all that they do.  I was lucky enough to work with them for several months while they were planning their big day!   

While their June Wedding day at The Nixon Library was for them, they made it about their guests. 

A real down-home Americana family affair incorporating Amy’s 6 adopted siblings; a family dinner created by Jason's Catering; a retro candy station fit for the first family from Powell's Sweet Shoppe; and of course, all of the Americana of the The Nixon Library, including the Army One helicopter. 

Swell details captured by Harvard Photography were: Amy’s vintage-feel dress, accents of bright green and peach, backpack favors filled with goodies for all of the children who attended the wedding, and incredible food by Jason's Catering.

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In addition to our blog posts, you can find updates and pictures on our new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SwellegantEvents. 

It would be swell if you LIKE us there too :)

Real Wedding: Brian & Katie at the Surf & Sand

Brian and Katie were married in July on the sand next to the surf at the Surf & Sand. 

The groom’s charcoal suit complemented the bride’s ivory boatneck classic gown. Various shades of blue (from tiffany to steel) and brown brightened the ceremony and reception. 

Katie and Brian have more creativity than anyone I know…and it showed in every detail, beginning with the invitations. Ian from Red Shoe rocked the house! Awesome to reconnect with him.     The beach wedding, the cocktail hour on the patio, and the ballroom reception at Surf & Sand were perfect thanks to the one and only Sandy.     Swell details captured by Jack Randall Photography were: their clever table numbers (hilarious quotes from Seinfield), the couple’s dog as the  ring bearer,  watching the guests’ toes in the sand,  and the absolute love that Katie and Brian have for one another.  

The night was topped off  with a beautiful cake by Donna B's complete with a hilarious mice cake topper and tons of dancing, including the groom, Brian,  breakin’ it down on the dance floor! 

Congratulations, Katie and Brian! You’re a couple for life!  Best of luck in Madison, Wisconsin.   You are already missed.

Hannah’s Street Faire!

Start with an adorable Mitzvah young lady.

 Add well-behaved, hip teenagers and parents who were gracious hosts and guests. Hold at an awesome Laguna Beach venue: Seven Degrees  and serve wonderful food = This was one of my favorite Mitzvahs in a long time.  The guests were grinning ear to ear as they left this party…. I heard more than once, “WOW.  That was awesome!”  

Swell details captured by the one and only Dominick Jr. Photography. Check out the SILVER MAN brought by Stargazer Productions  and the Flip Books by Nowgetflipped.  Greg Rackley from Maximum Impact  and his dancers kept the dance floor  completely full all evening long.  

Too many others to mention.  Can’t give away all my secrets for finding the best vendors in the OC and LA :) But call me and I'll share!  

Swellegant Events featured on Wedding Channel's Wedding of the Day

Remember our post in July about Megan & Tim?

Well this beautiful couple was featured on Wedding Channel's Wedding of the Day over the weekend. 

Swellegant Events is honored and excited to have been selected.

Feeding our Souls, Being a Mentor...and Having Fun!

I was honored to be involved with a swell event this past weekend.  I blogged about "Culinary Delicacies of Spain, a Tapas Party" two weeks ago.   Kudos to Valley High School School Inc. program in Santa Ana for breaking the mold in public education.   Because, in my busy days as an Event Planner, I always want to mentor those who are interested in food, events, and happiness.  :)

The fundraiser for High School Inc. was held on Friday, September 10, 2010 at the Hilton Anaheim.  Chef Messinga, Executive Chef at the Anaheim Hilton, was incredibly generous at every step of the way. With 150 attendees, over $8,000 was raised for our Extreme Kitchen Makeover.
Great for a grassroots effort !

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at Valley High School in Santa Ana, is where tenth to twelfth grade students are being trained to enter the workforce and begin a career in the food and customer service industries in Southern California.The teenagers at Valley High inspire me. At your next event, if you happen to see someone who is with me who has very bright eyes, it will be one of the incredible Culinary Arts Students at Valley High, who is shadowing or mentoring me.


 LOVE LOVE LOVE the program and LOVE the kids at Valley High even more!  Have a couple of hours a week?  Come join me...call me at 714)473-9512.

If you would like more information or would like to support the cause, please contact Sharon Gomez at Sgomez@SantaAnaChamber.com or 714-541-5353

Cooking up the next event - Good Food that is Good for your Soul

JOIN ME IN HELPING OTHERS!  I am the High School Inc. Culinary Arts and Hospitality Champion.  As the chair of the Academy, I am the Emcee for "Culinary Delicacies of Spain, a Tapas Party" being held on Friday, September 10, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Anaheim for the High School Inc. Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program. This is a first-time fundraiser to modernize the kitchen on the campus of Valley High School, home of High School Inc. Restaurateurs, executive chefs, and business owners have inspected the kitchen and have lent their support for an "Extreme Kitchen Makeover."

The High School program was adopted in a partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District and the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce to blend education with work & college training in seven industries. The High School Inc. program has been a hit with students, but the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program has a great need to upgrade its kitchen.

Please join me for this Swell evening. For $40 a person/$75 a couple, enjoy amazing Spanish Tapas and help our youth become passionate about building a career. Additional sponsorships are also still available. For more information, contact Sharon Gomez at Sgomez@SantaAnaChamber.com or 714-541-5353.

Megan and Tim: A Night to Remember

The perfect evening: beautiful sunset, a fairy tale castle upon a hill, and a gorgeous bride walking down the aisle. Swellegant Events loved the couple and their family.  Natalie and her team are always happy to help make the Bride and Groom's Vision become a reality!   The Carbon Canyon home was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements courtesy of Avante Gardens in hues of turquoise and  orange   Joel from http://www.emausphoto.com/ was amazing as usual... check out the pics in this blog... they're only a tiny picture of his talent.   The tables were sprinkled with flower petals swirling lightly in the wind, and the rock steps of the pool  were lined with beautiful bouquets. The pool was surrounded by Extreme DJ with a dance floor on one side and Red Carpet Photo Booth's fun display of costumes on the other for guest to embrace their inner selves. As the couple kicked off the dancing, the soundtrack to the night had many dancing for hours with a great blend of old and new favorites. With dinner from Jason's Catered Events, nothing short of perfection was present.  To wrap up the magical evening, a candy and cupcake display from Patty's Cakes and Desserts was arranged around the outdoor bar, exciting adults even more perhaps than the children as all filled their bags with sweets. With mini cupcakes,  who feels guilty eating three, maybe four when no one's watching? With the organized crew of PPS Parking running valet, traffic ran smoothly as guests arrived and left this special event. As all vendors worked together, the scene was a sea of smiles and laughter all night long. Totally cool favor idea... donations to The American Diabetes Association.   A dream wedding for all.

Serious Fun for Human Options... What a night!

Once in a while, I take a night off... and have some serious fun while supporting a wonderful cause!  What a blast we all had being PINK LADIES at the Human Options Fundraiser at Balboa Bay Club.  Special thanks to my friend, Laura, who organized the evening.  An incredible worthy cause,  Human Options deserved all that the evening brought to the organization.

A quote from The Daily Pilot:  "An impressive $435,000 was raised at the "Serious Fun Party" produced by Human Options. The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Newport Beach, was the setting for the 1950s "Happy Days"-themed event.

The crowd wore vintage clothes. Some women were in poodle skirts and saddle shoes and some men in lettermen's sweaters. Other ladies chose to show off a little upscale '50s attire, wearing vintage dresses accessorized with the mandatory choker of pearls and the upswept hair of the period. "

Giving back to Team Kids... one of the most awesome days of the year at Imagine 2010

A Swell Blog: Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

A Swell Blog: Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

Nicole and Mike... Inspired by San Francisco and Father of the Bride

Talk about awesome engagement shots!  These set the tone for what we have planned for an incredible June wedding.  A classic, sophisticated couple who will be having a "Father of the Bride" inspired wedding, in a beautiful backyard setting.  The backyard?  It is the new ballroom!

In order to accommodate 200+ guests, we've created the perfect evening... a pool cover, florals galore from Jenny B Floral Designs, catering from Jason's Catered Events, and photography from John Partridge, among others. The dream team of vendors. No shortcuts here. We're working hard to perfect all of the details.